Now that Disney has bought Lucasfilms and announced a new series of Star Wars films (you can see my thoughts about that here), the speculation and rumors are flying about who will helm the new trilogy of films set in a galaxy far, far away. Which means it's time for me to chime in with my list of the ten best choices to direct the new Star Wars film. Read on!

Let me begin by saying something to George Lucas. Mr. Lucas, when you announced you were retiring from making studio films, I was disappointed. Ignore the loud minority of folks who criticize your recent Star Wars films, and listen to the much larger majority who loved them and made them so successful. You invented an entire new universe and peopled it, developed a whole history of a galactic empire and civil war, and used it to entertain generations of film lovers for the last 35 years. You inspired so many people, so many filmmakers, and changed the way we think about and watch movies forever. You deserve thanks and praise for that, and I was sad when you said you were finished making movies.

I do realize, however, that you probably feel 35 years is more than enough, and you've got things you'd like to do now to enjoy your family and time and fortunes without the pressures and stresses of studio filmmaking. So just as you've earned thanks and praise, you've also earned a nice, fun rest from it all, if that's what you want. And by turning Lucasfilms over to Disney, you made an excellent choice that ensures the franchise is in very good hands for the future.

Now, before we talk about the list of best choices to make the new Star Wars films, let's get a few names out of the way, because there are some people who just aren't going to be involved or whom I think are very unlikely to be involved.

Someone I would've named on my list, unfortunately, publicly removed himself from the running when asked if he might take over the director's chair for Star Wars -- Steven Spielberg. It's too bad, because Spielberg would've been one of the best potential directors to take the hand off from Lucas and make a great run with it. The two men are longtime friends, and Spielberg's style and sensibilities would've fit perfectly with a new Star Wars trilogy. Alas, it is not to be.

Although he didn't directly address the prospects of directing Star Wars, James Cameron previously made it clear he is now in what he calls "the Avatar business" and only wants to make films based on his own original ideas. Cameron, though, is a true visionary like Lucas, and his Avatar is the only film that's ever matched Star Wars in terms of the impact it had on filmmaking, the effect it had on audiences seeing it for the first time, and as a powerful bit of storytelling reflecting the Hero's Journey in modern sci-fi myth-making. It's a shame he won't even be a possible choice.

Joss Whedon's name has come up repeatedly, which makes some sense in light of his major role at Disney overseeing the Marvel film universe. He's a fantastic filmmaker (one of my personal modern favorites), and has more than proven he's got what it takes to handle a big franchise like Star Wars. And his sci-fi credentials are top-notch, having created one of the best sci-fi television series of all time, Firefly. However, I don't think Whedon is going to be on the short-list, because he simply can't possibly have the time or energy to direct the sequel to The Avengers, create and direct the S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series, oversee the whole Phase 2 for the Marvel movies, and then also be expected to tackle something on the scale of a new Star Wars trilogy that has to meet a 2015 release date for the first film. So while I'd be thrilled at the notion of a Whedon Star Wars saga, I am pretty certain it's not in the cards.

Another name that would be tempting to suggest is Duncan Jones. Everything he's done so far has been great. And I think he's a filmmaker destined to develop a confidence that matches his directorial talent, and when that happens he'll take on some big franchise and hit a home run with it. But right now, he still seems unready for that, because it wasn't long ago that he turned down the possible chance to direct the new Supermanmovie because he felt he's unprepared to handle a big blockbuster franchise. Since then, he hasn't had any other films released and is still working on projects to put into production. Meaning, I think, whatever was true in 2011 that made him feel unready to take on Superman still applies today, and so he's unlikely to helm something as huge as a Star Wars trilogy.

Lastly, I'm going to come out and say I doubt the current rumor that Matthew Vaughn is in talks to direct the next Star Wars film. My reasoning will take some time, so bear with me. The rumor, which was first announced on Collider (a site with typically good sources and a good track record), says Vaughn left the X-Men sequel project because he's being offered the chance to direct Star Wars. My feeling is that this rumor is based primarily on the timing of Vaughn's departure from the X-Men project, making it more a theory arising from looking for clues and connecting dots that aren't necessarily really related. In fact, there's already been a public explanation for Vaughn's change of course, from a friend and collaborator of Vaughn's. Mark Millar says the two are working to develop the screen adaptation of Millar's comic Secret Service. Now, I know a lot of people are quick to discount what Millar says about film projects, but this actually makes sense, and in light of the two men's friendship and working relationship, I am inclined to give that story more weight than the one about Vaughn taking over Star Wars.

I loved Layer Cake and X-Men: First Class, and am a fan of Kick-Ass as well. Although Stardust was a mixed bag at times, it was ultimately compelling and fun, a good film that shows Vaughn has a strong grasp of fantasy and sci-fi. So Vaughn would be a good choice for Star Wars in many regards. However, Disney surely is also going to have to consider that so far, none of Vaughn's films has been a true blockbuster in terms of delivering clear box office magic. His films did well enough, but not great, with only two topping the $100 million mark -- Stardust and X-Men: First Class, the latter not even doubling its budget and the latter being the second-lowest grossing of the franchise and seeming to have trouble in the domestic box office in particular (it's U.S. box office was the lowest of the whole franchise) despite the popularity of the superhero genre and the X-Men franchise in particular. None of which is meant as a knock against Vaughn, as his films are excellent and X-Men: First Class was terrific. The point is about the business choice Disney is making in choosing a director for the biggest and most well-known franchise in film history, and that they are probably going to want someone with a proven track record of blockbuster success. If Vaughn got the job, however, I'd only be mildly surprised, but my surprise would be less than my enthusiasm, and he'd be a welcome name in the director's chair. I simply don't think it's going to happen, is all.

So, who will take on the enormous task of forging a new trilogy of Star Wars films? Many of the names I'm about to mention have already been tossed around, and with good cause -- they're great options. Here they are, then, the top ten filmmakers to take over the Star Wars franchise! Just turn the page to start reading the list...